County and district courts report staffing gains, rising court‑appointed attorney fees and coming courtroom projects

Pam Cardenas, speaking for county courts, and district court leadership reported staffing and budget updates to the Criminal Justice Committee.

County courts: Cardenas said the court has 12 judges authorized and had been down two judges for several months but is now back to full judicial staffing. She said the clerical complement is authorized at 83 positions and the office is currently down about seven positions (including probate, civil and criminal/traffic clerk roles). Cardenas said court‑appointed attorney fees have surged, requiring a supplemental request, and that county rates for criminal and probate appointment work remain below regional averages; staff are preparing a budget request to raise rates closer to peers.

District court: District court leadership said 18 judges are in place and the district court’s county employee complement is about 41.5 FTEs (state court employees excluded from that count). The district court reported two new courtrooms under construction by the Douglas County Building Commission — one with roughly 84 gallery seats and another with roughly 65 seats — plus a jury assembly space that will seat just under 350 people. The judiciary expects courtroom construction completion in early 2026 and the jury assembly workspace to be usable by mid‑July; the district court also expects to assume administrative payment responsibilities for the Board of Mental Health members effective July 1.

Commissioners asked for anticipated supplemental budget requests for increased court‑appointed attorney rates; Cardenas said a request is being prepared and would be forthcoming for the board to consider.

Ending: No formal action was taken; courts will present formal budget items and supplemental requests to the board in coming weeks.